The Guru
Guru Prafulla Velury is an accomplished performer and teacher of the classical Indian dance form Kuchipudi. She is also a choreographer, Nattuvangam artist, and vocalist trained in Carnatic music.
Through her academy, Prafulla’s Academy of Dance & Music (PADAM), she teaches students of all ages and backgrounds who are interested in learning the traditions of Indian classical dance and music.
Teaching in the United States
In the United States, Prafulla Velury has been teaching Kuchipudi dance and Carnatic vocal music to students throughout the New England region. She currently conducts regular classes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, along with remote training in dance, music, and Nattuvangam through online platforms.
Her teaching emphasizes strong foundations in rhythm, expression, and classical technique while encouraging students to develop character, confidence and artistic discipline.
Performances and Cultural Contributions
Prafulla and her students regularly perform at cultural events across New England and in other parts of the United States.
In addition to stage performances, she and her students participate in programs that support education, cultural events and charitable causes. Prafulla has also provided vocal accompaniment for numerous Bharatanatyam and Odissi arangetrams in the New England region.
As a singer, she has performed compositions in several Indian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Oriya, and Hindi.
Guinness World Record Recognition
On June 21st, 2008, Prafulla and daughter Krishna Sampada were entered into the Guinness World Records. They had participated in the first “largest Kuchipudi dance” event organized by SiliconAndhra in Cupertino, California.
Artistic Achievements in India
Before moving to the United States in 1999, Prafulla had already performed in more than 300 stage performances in India.
She received several honors including the title “Natya Sudhalahari” from Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana.
She also choreographed and performed in Kuchipudi dance ballets and hosted children’s educational programs and anchored programs based on Telugu cinema on Indian television channels.
Training and Gurus
Prafulla began performing Andhra folk dances at the age of three. Her formal training in Kuchipudi dance began under Guru Yeleswarapu Suryaprakash Sarma. She later continued her advanced training under Guru D. V. Satyakumar, a disciple of the legendary Kuchipudi Guru Vempati Chinna Satyam.
She graduated from Telugu University with a specialization in Kuchipudi dance.
Her training in Carnatic vocal music began under her mother, Bachu Sarojini Devi. During her career in India, Sarojini Devi provided vocal accompaniment for several leading Kuchipudi dancers, including Swapna Sundari, Uma RamaRao, Swathi Somnath, and Sumathi Kaushal. She was also an accomplished singer with All India Radio and contributed to children’s ballets and music programs at Jawahar Bal Bhavan in Hyderabad.
Prafulla is currently pursuing her advanced training in Carnatic music from Sri Vittal Ramamurthy, a disciple of Vidwan Lalgudi Jayaraman.